Motorola Solutions 4Q Profit Up, Gov't Sales Rise

The company anticipates first-quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations between 46 and 52 cents per share, well short of the 77 cents that Wall Street was looking for.

Shares slumped 8 percent before the opening bell Wednesday.

Earnings from continuing operations were $343 million, or $1.31 per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31. That compares with $336 million, or $1.18 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding stock-based compensation expense and other items, earnings from continuing operations were $1.67 per share, which was four cents better than Wall Street had expected, according to a poll by FactSet.

Motorola Solutions' fourth-quarter net income rose 2 percent and strong government sales energized its revenue, but shares dipped in premarket trading on its guidance. The company anticipates first-quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations between 46 and 52 cents per share...